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Gary Lipton Media Relations Manager Phone: 1-(800)-222-5551 Fax: 1-(800)-990-4329 Web site: www. napsnet .com e-mail: printmedia@napsnet.com #2484 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 350 Fifth Avenue, 65th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10118-0110 Seeing The Facts About Age-Related Macular Degeneration Can Help Prevent Blindness (NAPSA)—Opening your eyes to a few facts about sight could help you avoid blindness. For one thing, you should know age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in those over 50 and affects more than 10 million Americans. A study conducted by the AMD Alliance International (AMDAI) revealed that a lack of knowledge and concern are preventing people from taking critical steps that can halt or slow the disease’s progression. The research reports that among those at high risk of losing their sight from AMD, only about half reported seeing an eye doctor once a year or more, as is recommended, and nearly 90 percent of the general population will visit an eye doctor only after noticing symptoms such as loss of vision or blurriness. By then, it may be too late to take advantage of strategies and treatments. Fortunately, when it’s identified early, the progression of AMD may be slowed or halted with a variety of treatments prescribed by doctors and with lifestyle modifications, such as a diet rich in leafy green vegetables and quitting smoking. What Can You Do? Everyone needs to understand his or her own individual risk of being diagnosed with AMD. Those at high risk and anyone over the age of 50 should get a yearly eye exam. There are five questions everyone over 50 should ask the eye doctor: 1. What is AMD and what are the factors that determine who is at highest risk? 2. What symptoms should I watch for and how should I notify you if they occur? Photo credit: NEI According to the study, nearly 90 percent of the general population will visit an eye doctor only after noticing symptoms such as loss of vision or blurriness. 3. What causes AMD and can the condition be treated? 4. How does this condition affect vision? 5. Will getting AMD affect my lifestyle? “This study clearly indicates that there is a low level of concern about AMD and many people aren’t seeking adequate eye care until the disease has reached more of an advanced stage,” says David Herman, chair AMDAI. “It is imperative for people to see their eye doctors regularly and understand their risk factors so that AMD can be halted or its progression can be slowed.” In addition to blindness, AMD affects quality of life and often leads to depression. And while the causes of AMD are complex, several factors have been identified that appear to increase the risk, including gender, age, genetics, smoking, nutrition, hypertension, sun exposure, light skin or eye color and severe farsightedness. Learn More To learn more about AMD, its risk factors, prevention and treatment options, visit www.amd alliance.org. A Recipe For Zing (NAPSA)—Here’s food for thought when you’re in the throes of party planning. Add horseradish to the guest list. Horseradish is an exceptional companion to beef, chicken and seafood, with a special zing that few condiments can measure up to. Even better, in a 1tablespoon serving of prepared horseradish, there are zero calories and zero fat. It’s especially tasty in this sweet-tart relish recipe: Horseradish can add a special zing to almost any dish. Sweet Hot Cranberry Relish 1 12-oz. bag washed cranberries 2 ripe pears, peeled and cut up 1 ⁄2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. packed light brown sugar 5 Tbsp. bottled horseradish 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar Salt Ground black pepper In a food processor, combine cranberries, pears and brown sugar. Pulse until ingredients are chopped coarsely but thoroughly. Transfer to bowl and stir in horseradish, vinegar, salt and ground pepper to taste. Makes 3 cups. Cover and chill thoroughly in the refrigerator. Serve with roasted meats. For more recipes, www.horseradish.org. visit How To Buy An Energy-Efficient Refrigerator (NAPSA)—If you’re looking for ways to save some bread on energy bills, you might want to hit the fridge. Refrigerators run at full power around the clock, making them responsible for a major chunk of a home’s energy costs. The good news is that newer-model refrigerators use 40 percent less energy than models made just seven years ago. Plus, you might cut costs even further with Energy Star-efficient models, which use at least 20 percent less energy than other refrigerators. Just remember this tip: If you buy a new, “greener” fridge, do your wallet a favor and get rid of the old one—don’t keep it in your basement or garage. Maintaining a second unit erases any energy savings achieved with the new one. The Department of Energy runs a recycling program to help people put their old units to good use. Visit www.recyclemyoldfridge.com for more information. Rating Refrigerators So which fridges are best at keeping their cool? The No. 1ranked Energy Star refrigerator is the Miele Independence Series 30inch bottom-mount. It’s 33 percent more efficient than the current federal standard dictates. In fact, the company’s entire line is Energy Star qualified and uses highperformance dual compressors, improved insulation and more precise temperature and defrost technology to boost efficiency. Close The Door Since a lot of energy is wasted when you leave the refrigerator door open, the company’s new models come equipped with RemoteVision technology, which raises an Buying an energy-efficient refrigerator can do a lot to reduce your monthly electric bill. alarm if you leave the door open too long or if there are problems with how the refrigerator is running. It will even use Wi-Fi to send an alert e-mail to Miele, which, in turn, will contact you if you’re not home to hear the alarm. Cutting Costs You might save even more energy by activating the SuperCool feature while loading groceries, as the refrigerator will work quicker to get back to its optimal cooling temperature. You can also save some green by using the refrigerator ’s MasterCool technology to set the correct temperatures by zone and food type, preserving food longer. For more information about the Independence Series and other refrigerators, consumers and design professionals can call (800) 843-7231 or visit the Web site at www.miele.com.